League champions Cork continued their miserable run in the current competition when they were soundly thrashed by Donegal at Pairc Ui Chaoimh yesterday, their third defeat in a row.
Playing against a vigorous wind in the first half, Cork seemed to be in a reasonable position going into the second period, although they were adrift 0-10 to 0-3. It was Donegal, however, who opened up at the start of the second half and two goals and a point in the first eight minutes left Cork in an impossible situation.
The home side never really got to grips with the game. Their midfield of Michael O'Sullivan and Nicholas Murphy never matched the lively Donegal pair of John Gildea and Jimmy McGuinness and the Cork defence could not cope with the pace and inventiveness of the Donegal attackers.
A boggy pitch which cut up badly and a fussy and inconsistent referee - Pat McCann from Westmeath issued eight yellow cards, some for seemingly obscure reasons - didn't help the game as a spectacle for the very small crowd of around 2,000.
The 1.30 start may have contributed to the apathy, but the performance of the Cork side did not really merit any more loyalty than they received. The travelling Donegal contingent of around 200, who had stayed overnight in Cork, sometimes managed to make it seem as if their side was playing at home.
The strong wind blowing from the city gave an early advantage to the visiting team. However, pathetic shooting from favourable positions resulted in possession being squandered. Eight excellent chances passed by without any gain.
While Donegal struggled to find a rhythm, three late points in the last five minutes of the first half assured them a reasonable cushion of seven points at the break and it proved more than adequate.
Cork supporters in the sparse attendance might have felt that their team would revitalise themselves with the wind in their backs, yet it was Donegal who grabbed the initiative.
An early point by the lively Brian Roper in the fifth minute of the half gave evidence of what was to come.
His example was swiftly followed by two telling blows from Jamesie Gallagher. Within the space of two minutes, rebounds from the Cork defence were finished to the net by the young man from Gaoith Dobhair and Cork's fate was sealed.
Donegal now have a reasonable chance of progress in the league: they gave a poor performance against Galway, but have now beaten Cork and Armagh.
Cork seem to be at a very low ebb from which they will have to recover if they are to prosper in any significant way from now on.
Their National League aspirations have disappeared, but the New Year will need to bring about a revitalisation if they are to be realistic challengers for another tilt at the Munster championship and All-Ireland series.
DONEGAL: T Blake; M Crossan, R Sweeney, D Diver; N McGinley, S Carr, N McCready; J Gildea, J McGuinness (0-2, frees), O Reid; M Hegarty (0-2, both frees), J Gallagher (2-2), B Roper (0-3), A Sweeney (0-1 free), B Devenny (0-2). Subs: E Reddin for R Sweeney (5 mins); B McLaughlin for N McGinley (63 mins); J McCafferty for Gallagher (68 mins).
CORK: A Quirke; M O'Donovan, S Og O hAilpin, A Lynch; R McCarthy, O Sexton, D Creedon; M O'Sullivan (0-1), N Murphy (0-2); T Deasy, K Canty (0-1), BJ O'Sullivan; P Clifford (0-1, free), B Collins, M Lewis (0-2). Subs: G Canty for Creedon (43 mins); F Murray for M O'Sullivan (46 mins); P Murray, C Crowley and G Lynch for M O'Sullivan, T Deasy and B O'Sullivan (all 49 mins).
Referee: P McCann, Westmeath.
